TORONTO, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Manulife Financial Corporation's Board of Directors today declared a quarterly shareholders' dividend of $0.13 per share on the common shares of Manulife Financial Corporation (the "Company"), payable on and after December 21, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 17, 2009.

The Board also declared dividends on the following non-cumulative preferred shares, payable on or after December 19, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 17, 2009.

    -  Class A Shares Series 1 - $0.25625 per share
    -  Class A Shares Series 2 - $0.29063 per share
    -  Class A Shares Series 3 - $0.28125 per share
    -  Class A Shares Series 4 - $0.4125 per share
    -  Class 1 Shares Series 1 - $0.35 per share

In respect of the Company's December 21, 2009 common share dividend payment date, the Board has decided that the Company will issue common shares in connection with the reinvestment of dividends and optional cash purchases pursuant to the Company's Canadian Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan and its U.S. Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan. The price of common shares purchased with reinvested dividends will be reduced by a three (3) per cent discount from the market price, as determined pursuant to the applicable plan.

About Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial is a Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers customers a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$437 billion (US$407 billion) as at September 30, 2009.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

SOURCE Manulife Financial